Be An Awesome GP Podcast

Dr Christopher Timms

Every week Dr Chris Timms is joined by a guest who pitches their idea on how to improve family medicine. One question. Two people. Infinite possibilities to improve general practice. General Practice in Australia faces challenges. While GP’s are working very hard to serve their communities, what can we do even better?

  1. FEB 27

    Surviving Your First Day of GP & the Art of General Practice (with Dr Nelson Herbert)

    Chris reunites with former Royal Tweed Hospital intern colleague Dr Nelson Herbert, now a GP at Cotton Tree Plaza Medical Center, to discuss supervising new registrars and the philosophy of general practice. Nelson outlines his diverse path including three years of obstetrics and gynecology additional skills and years as a medical educator across GP Synergy and RACGP, and explains why teaching improves his clinical work.  They contrast abundant guidelines, webinars and exam resources with the higher value of learning GP “art” such as listening, tailoring feedback, safety-netting, continuity of care, and planning follow-up. They discuss career satisfaction, flexibility, part-time work, generalism versus subspecialty interests, and concerns about fragmented care. The conversation also covers patients using ChatGPT, clinician AI tools like Heidi, risks around MBS item suggestions and skills attrition, and practical tips for handling undifferentiated presentations.   00:00 Diagnose With Style 00:13 Meet Dr Nelson Herbert 01:50 Why Teaching Matters 04:47 Beyond Webinars 06:18 The Art Of GP 07:25 Reddit Reality Check 08:53 Is GP A Great Career 13:20 Generalist Vs Special Interests 16:37 Tips For New Registrars 18:21 First Day GP Shock 18:37 Calling Your Supervisor 19:46 Better Questions in Consults 20:20 Let Patients Talk 22:13 Dr Google to Dr GPT 23:41 AI Scribes and Data Risks 24:43 Heidi and AI Overload 27:52 Undifferentiated Patient Approach 31:55 Humanizing General Practice 33:03 Farewell and Outro   See more of Nelson at https://www.youtube.com/@absolutestreaming   #generalpractice #registrar #familymedicine

    34 min
  2. 06/30/2025

    Be An Awesome GP - Revolutionizing ADHD & Neurodiverse Care: Dr. Katherine Holzhauser's Journey

    Revolutionizing ADHD & Neurodiverse Care: Dr. Katherine Holzhauser's Journey   Join Dr. Christopher Timms as he interviews Dr. Katherine Holzhauser from the Kaleidoscope Clinic, discussing her profound impact on ADHD and neurodiverse care.   Key Discussion Points:   Dr. Holzhauser's Background and Career (00:47): Learn about Dr. Holzhauser's journey, starting from her background in general practice. Establishing Upward Life Family Practice (01:43): Discover the origins and establishment of the Upward Life Family Practice, a significant step in her career. Challenges and Achievements in Rural Practice (02:45): Dr. Holzhauser shares insights into the unique challenges and notable achievements encountered during her time in rural practice. Applying for the Future Leaders Program (03:10): Hear about her experience participating in the Future Leaders program and how it has shaped her professional development. ADHD Management in Queensland (06:11): Gain insights into the current landscape of ADHD management specifically within Queensland. Challenges in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment (07:30): Dr. Holzhauser sheds light on the significant challenges faced in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Future of ADHD Care in General Practice (10:36): A forward-looking discussion on the evolving role and future of ADHD care within general practice. Final Thoughts and Encouragement (11:39): Dr. Holzhauser offers some concluding remarks and encouragement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clinical curiosity in general practice.   Resources and Further Information:   Upward Life Family Practice: https://www.ulfp.com.au/ Kaleidoscope Clinic: https://kaleidoscopeclinic.com.au/ RACGP Future Leaders Program: https://www.racgp.org.au/education/professional-development/programs/future-leaders-program Important Note: This podcast is intended for educational purposes for GPs and does not constitute specific medical advice. Please consult your own GP for medical concerns and your state's legislative requirements for practice.

    13 min
  3. 04/27/2024

    Dr Nicole Higgins - President of the RACGP on GPs and the Scope of Practice Review.

    In this episode of Be an Awesome GP, Dr. Nicole Higgins, the President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners shares her insights on the Scope of Practice Review, a crucial topic. As GPs navigate the increasingly turbulent healthcare system, they play a unique role equivalent to pilots ensuring a safe landing in the field of primary care. This Scope of Practice Review emerges from the 2022 Strengthening Medicare Taskforce. It examines the roles of all primary healthcare providers from GPs to nurses, allied health professionals, and pharmacists. This episode further explores the issues paper 2 concerning health workforce scope, opportunities, and the potential for the inter-professional collaboration in the Australian healthcare system. Dr. Higgins emphasizes the immense training duration and expertise of GPs in managing complex care. However, she acknowledges that current legislation and regulations often limit their potential. She further discusses matters of duplication, increased healthcare costs, and the risk of care fragmentation. The concerns revolving around the direction of health reform and the potential for a fragmented, two-tiered health system are also addressed. Members are briefed on how to take actionable steps regarding these reforms and the invaluable role of GPs in advocating for better patient outcomes and a stronger healthcare system. To conclude the episode, Dr. Higgins inspires other GPs to take initiative in advocacy, emphasizing how anyone can contribute to enhancing the healthcare landscape. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for GPs and the broader healthcare workforce.

    12 min

About

Every week Dr Chris Timms is joined by a guest who pitches their idea on how to improve family medicine. One question. Two people. Infinite possibilities to improve general practice. General Practice in Australia faces challenges. While GP’s are working very hard to serve their communities, what can we do even better?

You Might Also Like